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This undergraduate-level textbook addresses key physics concepts relevant to stellar observations, including radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, photometry, continuous and discrete spectrum, and spectral lines. It describes instruments used for astronomical observations as well as how the radiation received is characterized and interpreted. The book also examines the structure of stars, the basic equations which explain stars in equilibrium, and the fusion reactions occurring in stellar cores. Plus, it discusses the evolution of stars, the solar system, the dynamics of galaxies, and the fundamentals of modern cosmology.
List of contents
Introduction. Observations. Astrometry. Photometry. Gravitation and Kepler's Laws. Stars, Stellar Spectra, and Classification. Radiation from Astronomical Sources. Stellar Structure. Stellar Nuclear Reactions. Star Formation and Stellar Evolution. The Sun. The Solar System. Binary Stars. The Milky Way. Galaxies. Cosmology. Active Galaxies.
About the author
Pankaj Jain obtained his doctoral degree from Syracuse University, New York, USA. He subsequently carried out postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA; West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA; University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA; and University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA. Dr. Jain is currently a professor in the Physics Department at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He is a theoretical physicist, whose chief interests are in high energy physics and cosmology. Presently, he is working on the models of dark energy and dark matter, cosmic microwave background radiation, observational tests of the cosmological principle, fundamental symmetries of nature, ultra-high energy cosmic rays, and strong interactions.
Summary
Astronomy is the field of science devoted to the study of astronomical objects, such as stars, galaxies, and nebulae. Astronomers have gathered a wealth of knowledge about the universe through hundreds of years of painstaking observations. These observations are interpreted by the use of physical and chemical laws familiar to mankind. These interpretations supply information about the nature of these astronomical objects, allowing for the deduction of their surface and interior conditions. The science associated with these interpretations is called astrophysics.
An Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics offers a comprehensive introduction to astronomy and astrophysics, complete with illustrative examples and illuminating homework problems. Requiring a familiarity with basic physics and mathematics, this undergraduate-level textbook:
- Addresses key physics concepts relevant to stellar observations, including radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, photometry, continuous and discrete spectrum, and spectral lines
- Describes instruments used for astronomical observations as well as how the radiation received is characterized and interpreted to determine the properties of stars
- Examines the structure of stars, the basic equations which explain stars in equilibrium, and the fusion reactions occurring in stellar cores
- Discusses the evolution of stars, the solar system, the dynamics of galaxies, and the fundamentals of modern cosmology
- Explores the universe at high redshifts, where it is dominated by objects such as active galaxies
Solutions manual and figure slides available with qualifying course adoption
An Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics teaches students how to interpret the night sky, providing them with a critical understanding of the stars and other heavenly bodies.
Additional text
"Jain has produced a concise, calculus-based textbook aimed at majors in their sophomore or junior years. … ideas are laid out in logical order, and key concepts are explained. End-of-chapter assignments include derivations, calculations (with specific equations often recommended), and verifications. … useful as a review for someone already familiar with the material. This title features useful diagrams … . Recommended for upper-division students."—CHOICE, December 2015
